Category Archive: Articles of Interest

By Ethan Miller, nidan While testing for my shodan test in 1994 one of the questions I was asked by the test board was to name a strike that was being shown. It was the hiraken, and I was then asked to explain how it was used. After I did this, I of course wondered. …

by Ethan Miller Many people use the heavy bag for practicing hand strikes. I generally do about 100 strikes left, right with a seiken fist, then do combinations in threes also with a seiken fist. I will then usually practice shuto left and right on the edge of the bag and boshiken strikes to the …

by David Nishimoto The study of Kempo Karate requires a lifetime of diligent thought. Many hours of isolated study and concentrated thought and practice are necessary to build the inner strength found in Karate. Meditation builds the focus within the mind. The mind, focused, builds confidence and well being for the body. It is during …

By David Nishimoto Morality guides the training of Kempo practitioners. Because the attitude of competition is removed from Kempo the training in done in a spirit of mutual cooperation. Masters share information with students to improve and close observed openings. In competitive environments the students must either pay for advanced information or be a part …

by David Nishimoto Footwork provides the evasive qualities of kempo. A weight distribution of 50 percent between the front and back legs serves no purpose. Kempo uses a 60/40 distribution between the front and back leg. In a reverse cover the weight distribution of 40/60. A cat stance changes the weight to 20/80 between the …

By David Nishimoto The Kempo hammer strikes are often misunderstood. Most individuals think the purpose of the hammer strike is to smash soft tisues or break bones. Its is true in some cases the potential for this level of damage may be obtained, since some of the most powerful arm muscle combined with weight distribution …

By David Nishimoto The only way to generate chi energy into jing is to be in state of enlightment, love, and confidence. The divine receiption of this love and enlightment must be strong. It is easily perceivable through through the eyes. Love is the light that radiates generates jing power in such a way that …

by David Nishimoto The premise of this article is to convince individuals to remove the viciousness out of the art. Its sad that Martial Artist thinks that viciousness can yield to victory. The more dangerous the opponent the less willing a skilled fighter is to attack without thought. Yet every fighting situation can be broken …

by David Gimberline Shotokan appears to execute the sidekick with the kicking leg coming from behind, i.e. one steps across with the front leg and kick with what would be the back leg (if one were standing in kosa dachi). Is this a correct assessment of the Shotokan side kick, and if so, how does …